For 38 years has represented catastrophically injured persons throughout Northern California. Workers' compensation, industrial accidents, death claims, orthopedic injuries, amputations, CRPS, TBI, PTSD. The Goforth & Lucas Law Partnership helps injured workers level the playing field against insurance carriers and their army of lawyers.

Otto P. Cipolla, Jr. is the founder and owner of The Law Offices of CIPOLLA, CALABA, MARRONE, WOLLMAN & SILVA. Mr. Cipolla founded the firm in 1995. He has since grown the firm from 2 attorneys to 30 attorneys. The firm now has seven offices throughout California. Mr. Cipolla has taught, lectured and given seminars in all aspects of Workers’ Compensation Law for employers, insurance carriers, brokers and third party administrators. Mr. Cipolla has been a Judge Pro-Tem not only at the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board but also in both Municipal and Superior Court. CCMW&S practice is...

Joe Appel has specialized in personal injury cases for more than 30 years. He’s seen it, tried it, and won it, both in state and federal courts.
Joe graduated from St. Mary’s College of California, Moraga, California in 1976 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He also played basketball for the Galloping Gaels for four years. At graduation Joe received the Scholar Athlete of the Year Award. He then attended and graduated from University of California, Hastings College of the Law in 1979. Joe was admitted to the California and Federal Courts in the same year. He has been a member...

For more than 30 years, Mike Appel has devoted his practice exclusively to personal injury and wrongful death cases. He represents clients throughout California, both in State and Federal courts.
Born and raised in Redondo Beach, Mike attended St. Mary’s College of California, Moraga, California, where he majored in English. He was an editor of the college’s literary magazine, "The Phoenix." He also played rugby for the Gaels, and was a member of the team that went on the first annual rugby tour of the East Coast. Mike received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1970. At graduation he also received...

Have you recently been denied workers' compensation? Are you seeking to appeal your application, or the application of a loved one? If so, then you can't wait to garner the help of an experienced Oakland workers' compensation lawyer. It's with the care of a professional that you will be able to fight for the financial compensation that you deserve. With more than two decades of experience fighting for workers in the Bay Area, the Law Offices of Jonathan M. Brand will be able to bring your questions the attentive care and understanding that's needed. Whether you have been denied workers'...

Thomas has a passion for the law as it relates to personal injury and worker's compensation. His current practice at the Appel Law Firm LLP focuses on representing those involved in personal injury claims, as well as worker's compensation and other related matters. During law school, Thomas served as a judicial extern for Judge Timothy A. Reardon of the First District of the California Court of Appeal. He was a member of the University of San Francisco Advanced Advocacy teams for two years and served as the Social Chair on the Advanced Advocacy Board. Thomas also was a member...

The workers' compensation system attempts to streamline the process for handling work-related injuries and illnesses, such as a loss of limb, back injury, or repetitive strain injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome. The system generally provides fixed remedies to employees suffering from work-related injuries without requiring the employee to prove fault, thereby minimizing the need for litigation and its associated costs. Benefits from workers' compensation insurance may include medical care, temporary disability benefits, permanent disability benefits, vocational rehabilitation, and death benefits.

The workers' compensation system is typically an alternative to filing a civil lawsuit for a personal injury claim, and in most cases, you may not pursue both avenues for compensation for an injury.

A workers' compensation lawyer can help you navigate the workers' compensation system to get the full benefits to which you are entitled. If your injury was caused by someone or something not covered by your employer's workers' compensation insurance, a workers' compensation attorney can help you file a third-party claim so that you get the compensation you deserve.